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Wendy Sura Thomson

The Third Order

Synopsis

Maggie Fraser met the man of her dreams one day in New York City. She had never been happier - until tragedy struck, sending her into an emotional tailspin. Her recovery was rudely interrupted by her accidental possession of a mysterious and ancient amulet.What was this amulet? And why was she being pursued for it? Travel with Maggie as she criss-crosses multiple countries unraveling the secrets of the amulet and searching for the inner peace, acceptance, and personal direction that had been so disrupted.

Author Biography

Wendy Sura Thomson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her master’s degree from Florida State University. She has worked in finance, management consulting, strategy and process design in the telecommunication, automotive and information technology industries.
Thomson is semiretired and lives in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan with her two Irish Setters.

Author Insight

What others are saying

Please don't be too offended by the language on the first page: it is the only profanity in the entire book. It just happens to fall in the second paragraph.
Here is this book's latest review: hopefully it will pique your interest!
"Wendy Thomson’s The Third Order is a fine novel that works on a number of levels—as a thriller, an adventure novel, a Dan Brown-like fusion of historical and religious conspiracies, an archeological mystery, a critique of how ideals are tarnished and betrayed, and above all a sensitive portrait of a resilient and resourceful woman who must rebuild her life after a tragic accident. The story is exciting and multi-layered, racing back and forth between countries, continents, and centuries—all handled deftly by the author. The characters are well-drawn and memorable, particularly (for me) the contemporary main character, Maggie, and a battle-weary twelfth-century Scottish warrior whose large spirit helps change the course of religious history. I highly recommend this engaging and fast-moving novel." - 5 stars, Don Levin at goodreads.com

Book Excerpt

The Third Order

Maggie pushed open the apartment door, kicked her Ferragamos unceremoniously under the hall table, and dropped her briefcase and purse on the table. She took off her coffee-stained coat and threw it on the chair as she closed and locked the door.

Stupid fucking jerk. Who brings an open coffee on the subway, anyway? Stupid fucking people in general.

She stopped to rub the back of her neck with a little groan. It had been one hell of a long day.

Ben came up behind her, gave her a little hug, and moved her long, mahogany hair to the side so he could rub her shoulders. Maggie’s first reaction was to pull away; at this particular moment, she wanted nothing to do with the human race. She stiffened at his initial touch but then relaxed. Ben – sweet, gentle Ben. He was not the problem. He was stalwart and patient with her. None of this was his fault. She sighed and stretched her neck appreciatively. After a minute, she turned to him, placed her arms around his waist, and smiled as she looked into his warm brown eyes. “Thanks, hun. You always have a knack for calming me down.”

He kissed the tip of her nose, smiled, and said, “I take it we are ordering in tonight?”

“Not until we break open a bottle of wine and my blood pressure drops a hundred points or so,” she replied, heading for the kitchen. “Red or white?”